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Devils Prevail In Double Overtime

Another exciting game between Duke and Pitt.

By JD King
Nov 1, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Duke Blue Devils wide receiver Jamison Crowder (3) drags his foot to stay in bounds with a pass reception against Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Lafayette Pitts (6) during the second quarter at Heinz Field.
Nov 1, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Duke Blue Devils wide receiver Jamison Crowder (3) drags his foot to stay in bounds with a pass reception against Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Lafayette Pitts (6) during the second quarter at Heinz Field.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Last year, Duke and Pitt engaged in a high-scoring game in which neither team could really stop the other.

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That game ended 58-55.

Saturday's game finished 51-48, in double overtime. That's 212 points or 106 per game. TV should consider that for the next time around.

Neither team could shake (or stop) the other and it seemed like no time before one matched the other's latest score. At halftime the score was tied 30-30 - naturally Duke scored with time running out, right after Pitt had pulled ahead.

The second half wasn't quite as explosive, with Duke pulling ahead 38-31 with 13:07 to play.

It took Pitt awhile, but the Panthers finally scored with 5:18 left on a James Connor run.

Pitt had a chance to win in regulation with a field goal. The score was 45-45 and Chris Blewitt - a tragic name for a kicker - came on to kick a 26-yard field goal.

Duke coach David Cutcliffe called one timeout, then called another. Blewitt blew it, hitting the goalpost to put the game into the first OT.

The teams traded touchdowns and finished the first bonus session 45-45.

In the second, Blewitt hit it, connecting on a 43 yard field goal.

Duke's turn: the Devils moved the ball quickly to the red zone and when the ball made it to the five-yard line, thanks in large part to Shaq Powell, Thomas Sirk came in and punched it in for the win.

Pitt picked up 594 yards overall to Duke's 438. Led by James Connor, who finished with 263 yards, Pitt out-gained Duke 358-172 on the ground.

Pitt had the ball 41:08; Duke's time of possession was 18:52.

Neither team had a fumble or interception.

With the win, Duke remains in control of the Coastal Division.

Georgia Tech and  Miami trail the Blue Devils at  4-2 and 3-2 respectively. Duke's win over Tech is a nice cushion and Miami gets a week off before hosting Florida State, a game the 'Canes seem unlikely to win.

Meanwhile, Duke travels to 3-6 Syracuse next week before closing out with Virgina Tech, UNC and Wake Forest at home.

There are no guarantees in football or anything else, but the odds of Duke winning those four games, we'd think, are higher than the odds of Miami beating Florida State.

Of course, Miami could lose and Duke could lose a couple as well.

Still, all things considered, Duke is sitting pretty at the moment.

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